[QUOTE=bbbbbb;1297431]
Quote:
Originally Posted by spring_chicken
During a 30 minute span sitting at Johnny Rocket's yesterday, I watched 3 bicyclers (not together) riding on the sidewalk around the square. One was even brazen enough to holler out "coming through!" to people who were walking on the sidewalk as they had to jump out of her way!
Here's a memo to those who do that. If you insist on riding your bicycle on a sidewalk because you're too lazy to take the one way streets 3 blocks out of your way, be prepared to travel at WALKING speed on the sideWALK. I will not be jumping out of your way.
Hi, yes things can be out of line, however the bike and car item is a bit scary sometime. I have been on a cart road, and carts with plenty of passing room will almost touch my rear view mirror on the left. Also, IF I need to get out of traffic and it is getting real congested, then I look ahead, if no one is on the sidewalk I will ride on it, slowly and if someone is there and if they are approaching, I, WE get off of the sidewalk and do not cause anyone a problem. Some cart folks, after the golf game and after a few highballs, can really get brazen and dangerous, we see it all the time from a bike. But we do respect walkers on the sidewalk and take all precautions and do not yell at anyone. Also we wave and the patrols wave so we thing it is ok if it is safe, SAFETY and caution is the rule for us, we all need to get along and progress,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Carefully.
bbbbbb  |
I can certainly understand the difficulty that a cyclist has navigating in a square---cars and carts often do the unexpected whether it is due to alcohol, poor vision and reflexes, or hunting for a parking spot. However, I believe the general legal principle is that the roads belong to vehicles (bicycles included) and the sidewalks belong to pedestrians. I'm not sure there is a lot of difference (speed and mass aside) in riding a cycle on the sidewalk or driving a cart or car on it, at least legally.
While your individual approach to taking your bicycle on the sidewalk sounds reasonable, in reality you are stating that "I break the law in the least offensive manner possible". I'm not sure that really flies. After all, I'm sure I could be just as careful with a motor vehicle. I will grant you that your approach is far better than what the OP described. If I was walking with my wife, who is somewhat frail, and a cyclist yelled "coming through", there is enough New Yorker left in me that he is likely to have an accident, like an accidental elbow in his face. I understand the desire for safety, but not at the risk of injuring my family, so I would prefer that vehicles stay on the road, where they belong. Many cyclists embrace the American Cyclist Association policy of "own the lane", which is within their legal rights. But then they cannot "own" the sidewalks as well when it suits them. In either case, please stay safe.